Outer door handle gasket for automotive vehicles

ABSTRACT

A gasket is used for sealing an interface between an outer surface of a door and a door handle of an automotive vehicle. The gasket includes opposite inner and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surface of the gasket faces the door and the outer surface of the gasket faces the handle. The gasket also includes a lip that protrudes outwardly relative to the outer surface of the gasket and extends longitudinally along an edge of the gasket to sealingly engage the handle. The lip is embossed so that it is recessed relative to the inner surface of the gasket to accommodate compression of the lip as the handle is displaced toward the door. A flattened portion extends from an end of the lip to dampen noise due to impact between the handle and a door outer panel of the door.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a gasket for an outer door handle of anautomotive vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a gaskethaving embossments that minimize noise associated with wind and theouter door handle impact with a door panel of the door of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle door typically includes a pivoting door handle for actuating alock or latch mechanism that retains the door to the vehicle frame. Itis known in the art to provide a gasket between the handle and relatedbezels and the door panel to prevent water from passing there-between.It remains desirable, however, to provide an improved gasket design thatminimizes noise due to wind passing over the handle and door panel anddue to an impact between the handle and the door panel as the handle isreleased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a gasket is provided forsealing an interface between an outer surface of a door and a doorhandle of an automotive vehicle. The gasket includes opposite inner andouter surfaces, wherein the inner surface faces the door and the outersurface faces tie handle. The gasket also includes a lip that protrudesoutwardly relative to the outer surface of the gasket to sealinglyengage the handle. The lip is embossed so that it is recessed relativeto the inner surface of the gasket to accommodate compression of the lipas the handle is displaced toward the door.

According to another aspect of the invention, a gasket is provided forsealing an interface between an outer surface of a door and a doorhandle. The gasket includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a lipand a flattened portion. The inner surface faces the door. The outersurface faces the handle. The lip extends longitudinally along an edgeof the outer surface of the gasket to sealingly engage the handle. Theflattened portion extends from an end of the lip to dampen noise due tocontact between the handle and the outside surface of the door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a vehicle door with a doorhandle shown in an release position;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a first gasket disposed between thehandle and the door according to tie invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the first gasket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 ofthe door, tie handle and the first gasket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a second gasket disposed between thehandle and the door according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the second gasket of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1 ofthe door, the handle and the second gasket of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle door 10 for an automotive vehicle isshown with a grip door handle 12, which is used to unlatch the door 10from the vehicle body (not shown) prior to opening the door 10. Aproximal end 14 of the handle 12 is pivotally coupled to the door 10 formovement between a released position and an unreleased position. In thereleased position, a distal end 16 of the handle 12 is spaced apart froman outer surface of the door 10. In the unreleased position, the distalend 16 abuts the outer surface of the door 10. The handle 12 is biasedtoward the unreleased position by a spring (not shown). A key openingbezel 18 is fixedly secured to the door 10 adjacent to the distal end 16of the handle 12. Described in greater detail below, gaskets areprovided for sealing the interface between the handle 12, the bezel 18and a door outer panel 11 of the door 10.

Referring to FIG. 2-4, a first gasket 30 is used to seal an interfacebetween the door 10 and both the bezel 18 and the distal end 16 of thehandle 12 in the unreleased position. The first gasket 30 has an outersurface 36 and an opposite inner surface 46. Fasteners 34, 48 extendfrom opposite edges of an opening 32 formed in the first gasket 30. Thefasteners 34, 48 are provided in the form of hooked tabs that extendthrough a hole in the door outer panel 11 to secure the first gasket 30to the door outer panel 11. The gasket 30 is secured to the door outerpanel 11 by the fasteners 34, 48. Optionally, other fasteners, such asscrews or adhesives may be used.

Lips 38, 40 extends along opposite respective sides of the first gasket30 to form a longitudinally extending seal with the bezel 18 and handle12. The lips 38, 40 are embossed, so as to be raised relative to theouter surface 36 and recessed relative to the inner surface 46. Each lip38, 40 has a flattened portion 42, 44 that contacts the distal end 16 ofthe handle 12 in the unreleased position. Alternatively, the flattenedportions may be spaced apart from the lips, instead than being a portionthereof.

While uncompressed, the lips 38, 40 protrude outwardly from the outersurface 36 of the first gasket 30. The bezel 18 is assembled to the door10 with screws or bolts and the gasket 30 is compressed between thebezel 18 and an outside surface 20 of tie door outer panel 11. The lips38, 40 are displaced toward the door 10 due to contact with the bezel18. The recesses along the lips 38, 40 on the inner surface 46 of thegasket 30 accommodates the displacement of the lips 38, 40 toward thedoor 10. Contact between the bezel 18 and the lips 38, 40 creates thelongitudinally seal that prevents liquid or wind from passingthere-between. Further, the use of lips 38, 40 allows the first gasket30 to be hidden beneath the handle 12 in the unreleased position and thebezel 18.

In FIG. 4, the handle 12 is shown in the unreleased position. In thisposition, the handle 12 compresses the flattened portions 42, 44. Theincreased width or area provided by the flattened portions 42, 44 helpsdampen noise and vibration associated with an impact between the handle12 and the door outer panel 11.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein like parts are indicated by like primenumerals, a second gasket is indicated at 30′. Fasteners 34′, 48′ in theform of hooked tabs secure the second gasket 30′ to the door outer panel11. The second gasket 30′ functions substantially the same as the firstgasket 30, but instead seals an interface between the door outer panel11 and the proximal end 14 of the handle 12. The second gasket 30′ hasan outer surface 36′ and an opposite inner surface 46′. The lips 38′,40′ extends along opposite respective sides of the second gasket 30′ toform a longitudinally extending seal with the handle 12. The lips 38′,40′ are embossed, so as to be raised relative to the outer surface 36′and recessed relative to the inner surface 46′. The lips 38′, 40′correspond in shape to the proximal end 14 of the handle 12.

While uncompressed, the lips 38′, 40′ protrude outwardly from the outersurface 36′ of the second gasket 30′. The handle 12 is assembled to thedoor 10 for pivotal movement between the unreleased and releasedposition. As shown in FIG. 7, the second gasket 30′ is compressedbetween the handle 12 in the unreleased position and the outside surface20 of the door outer panel 11. The lips 38′, 40′ are displaced towardthe door 10 when the handle 12 moves to the unreleased position. Therecesses along the lips 38′, 40′ on the inner surface 46′ of the secondgasket 30′ accommodates the displacement of the lips 38′, 40′ toward thedoor 10. Contact between the handle 12 in the unreleased position andthe lips 38′, 40′ creates tie longitudinally seal that prevents liquidor wind from passing there-between. Further, the use of the lips 38′,40′ allows the second gasket 30′ to be hidden beneath the handle 12 inthe unreleased position.

The gaskets 30, 30′ may be molded from rubber. Alternatively, thegaskets 30, 30′ may be formed from other suitable elastomeric orelastically flexible materials and processes known by those havingordinary skill in the art.

The invention has been described in an illustrative maimer. It is,therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the invention are possible in light ofthe above teachings. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, thelips are substantially straight to engage corresponding edges orsurfaces of the bezel. It should be readily appreciated, however, thatthe lips may be curved or otherwise shaped to correspond with the shapeof the bezel and/or handle. As another example, the gaskets may becoupled to the bezel and/or handle as a pre-assembly and held in placealong the door when the bezel and/or handle are fixedly secured to thedoor. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention maybe practiced other than as specifically described.

1. A gasket for sealing an interface between an outer surface of a doorand a door handle of an automotive vehicle, said gasket comprising: aninner surface that faces the door; an outer surface that faces the doorhandle; and a lip that protrudes outwardly relative to the outer surfaceof the gasket to sealingly engage the door handle, the lip beingembossed so that it is recessed relative to the inner surface of thegasket to accommodate compression of the lip as the door handle isdisplaced toward the door.
 2. A gasket as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe gasket includes a pair of lips that are positioned on opposite sidesof the gasket to engage corresponding opposite sides of the door handle.3. A gasket as set forth in claim 2, wherein each lip extendslongitudinally along the opposite sides of the gasket to form alongitudinally extending seal between the door and the handle.
 4. Agasket as set forth in claim 3 including an opening disposed between thepair of lips.
 5. A gasket as set forth i claim 4 including hookedfasteners formed along opposite edges of the opening.
 6. A gasket as setforth in claim 1, wherein the gasket includes a flattened portion thatprotrudes outwardly relative to the outer surface of the gasket todampen noise due to contact between the door handle and the outersurface of the door.
 7. A gasket as set forth in claim 6, wherein theflattened portion is embossed and recessed relative to the inner surfaceof the gasket to accommodate displacement of the flattened portion dueto contact with the door handle.
 8. A gasket as set forth in claim 7,wherein the flattened portion is wider than the lip.
 9. A gasket as setforth in claim 8, wherein the flattened portion forms a portion of thelip.
 10. A gasket for sealing-an interface between an outer surface of adoor and a door handle of an automotive vehicle, said gasket comprising:an inner surface that faces the door; an outer surface that faces thedoor handle; a lip that extends longitudinally along an edge of theouter surface of tie gasket to sealingly engage the door handle; and aflattened portion extending from an end of the lip to dampen noise dueto contact between the door handle and the outer surface of the door.11. A gasket as set forth in claim 10, wherein both the lip and theflattened portion are embossed and protrude relative to the outersurface of the gasket to form a seal with the door handle.
 12. A gasketas set forth in claim 11, wherein both the lip and the flattened portionare recessed relative to the inner surface of the gasket to accommodatedisplacement of the lip as the door handle is displaced toward the door.13. A gasket as set forth in claim 10, wherein the flattened portion iswider than the lip.
 14. A gasket as set forth in claim 13, wherein theflattened portion forms a portion of the lip.